Sheeter and curling roll adjustment device



y 12, 1932- w. G. KIRCHHOFF 1,867,223

SHEETER AND CURLING ROLL ADJUSTMENT DEVICE Filed May 14, 1931 2- Sheets-Sheet 1 William G. K irc hit of! July 12; 1932. w. G. KIRCHHOFF SHEETER AND CURLING ROLL ADJUSTMENT DEVICE Filed ma 14. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT Fries. f

WILLIAM G. KIRGHHOFF, OI! CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE 3'. H. DAY COM- PANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO SHEETER AND CUR-LING ROLL ADJ USTMEN'I." DEVICE Application filed. May 14, 1931.

This invention relates to a sheeter and curling roll adjustment device for dough working machinery.

An object of the invention is to provide a combination of sheeter and curling device L provided with a means for insuring discharge of curled or shaped parcels of dough in accurately timed succession.

A more specific object is to provide a m sheeter and curler with means for varying the relative speeds of operation of those elements, whereby is secured a very accurately timed discharging of loaves from the machine.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a sheeter and curling device with means for insuring discharge of successive loaves in a substantially horizontal or other desired plane.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental side elevational view of the sheeter and curler of the invention,

showing it in cooperative relationship with a conventional dough molder drum.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical view showing the manner in which shaped loaves are released from the curling means.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3. i

Fig. 5 is a fragmental cross-sectional view showing in detail the means for insuring discharge of the successive loaves in a substantially horizontal or other given position.

It has been customary, heretofore, to associate a curling mechanism with a dough 4.0 sheeter in substantially the relative positions illustrated in the drawings, the sheeter mechanism and the curling device being operated from a common power source. The power transmission means heretofore was a direct drive not providing for adjustment of the speed of the curling device relative to the speed of the sheeting mechanism. In other words, by speeding up the machine to effect an increase in the rate of loaf discharge,

the speeds of operation of the sheeting means Serial No. 537,255.

and the curling device heretofore wereincreased simultaneously and without changing the relative speeds of the sheeter and curler devices. Under the above conditions, the curled sheets or parcels were found to leave the curler in an irregular succession, especially at the higher speeds ofoperation, at which speeds the curled rolls or parcels would at times remain under the influence of the curler after completion of the curling operation. It has been discovered, however, that a more accurately timed discharge of loaves may be obtained by varying the speed of rotation of the curling device relative to the speed of operation of the sheeter mechanism, in those instances wherein a rapid succession or a change in the rate of discharged loaves is desired. Accordingly, a suitable change speed device, one form of which is illustrated at the right hand side of Fig. 3, is associated with thesheeter and curler for the purpose, of obviating the foregoing difficulties encountered in variable speed machines of the character set forth herein. Cooperatively associated with the curling device is a loaf positioning means, shown in detail in Fig. 5, whereby successive loaves leaving the curling device are precludedfrom entering a loaf molder in a cooked or crooked condition. A detailed description of the improved machine follows.

The invention disclosed herein is applicable to any dough working machine employing a curling roller, or other roller, performing the function of a curling roller. Reference is made to thepatent of l/Villiam G. Kirchhoff Number1,740,024 wherein is disclosed one type of dough molder to which the device of the present invention may be conveniently applied. Reference is made also to the patent of William G. Kirchhoff 1,828,049 which shows in detail an adjustable guide means associated with a curling roller in substantially the manner disclosed herein.

In the drawings, the pairs of cooperating. driven rollers 6 and 7, and 8 and 9 correspond to pairs of driven rollers 62' and 63, and 64 and 65, respectively, of the above referred to Patent Number 1,740,024. Measuredlumps of dough are successively inserted between the pair of rollers 8 and 9 where they are flattened and worked into sheet form. The dough in this form passes between the second pair of rollers 6 and 7 wherein the flattening operation is completed. The sheet of dough thus formed is projected downwardly until its free end 11 (Fig. 2) strikes the serrated curling roller 10, which is driven in counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2.- The rotating curling'roller thereupon carries the end 11 toward a'pilot roller 12, driven in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 13. The pilot roller thereupon contacts the end 11 and turns said end upon itself. Continued rotation of the curling and pilot rollers results in a spiral winding of the sheet about a central longitudinal axis of rotation. The roll or loaf thus formed is indicated at 110 in Fig. 2.

Attention is directed to the fact that althoughthe center of gravity of the cylindrical loaf 110 may be disposed considerably to the right of a vertical line 14 passing through the central axis of the curling roller 10, the

counterclockwise rotation of the curling roller will serve to prevent gravitation of the loaf down the face of the curling roller. This tendency of the formed loaf to remain upon the curling roller after completion of the,

winding operation, is particularly noticeable when the speed of operation of the machine is increased. By decreasing the speed of the curling mechanism while the other parts of the machine are operating at'comparatively high speed, the'diificulty above set forth is overcome. Accordingly, the curling mechanism is provided with a change speed drive, which is indicated generally by the character 15, wherebythe speed of the curling mechanism may be decreased although the sheeting device is in operation at an increased speed. Although there is disclosed herein a specific type of change speed device cooperating with the curling mechanism for the purpose above explained, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to any specific mechanism for varying the speed of operation of the curling device relative to that of the sheeting device.

Before proceeding with a detailed description of the change speed mechanism shown herein, an explanation will be given as to the manner in which the various rolls and shafts of the device may be driven by means of the motor '16. The motor preferably is provided with a sprocket 17 over which passes a chain 18 for driving a sprocket 19 on the main shaft 20 of the machine. The direction of rotation of the main shaft is indicated by the arrow 21. The main shaft has fixed thereon a sprocket 22'which, by means of a chain 23 rotates the sprocket 27 of the sheeter roll 6 in a clockwise direction of rotation, as indicated. The sprocket 27 is fixed on the shaft of the sheeter roll 6. The chain 23 drives an idlerconsisting of sprockets 24 and 25, each of which is fixed on the hub 26, which hub may rotate freely on a suitable bearing 28. The rear upper sheeter roll 8 may be rotated with the roll 6 by means of the chain 29 which may engage the sprockets 30 and 31 fixed on the shafts of rolls 6 and 8 respectively. The lower and upper front sheeter rolls 7 and 9, may be rotated by means of the chains 32 and 33 c which transmit rotary motion of "the sprocket 24 to the sprockets 34, 35 and 36 which, as shown, are fixed on the shafts of sheeter rolls 7 and 9. The sprocket indicated at 37 is an idler which serves as a chain tension adjustment. The sheeter rolls are adjustable, relatively by means of the hand wheels 38.

The driven shaft 39 to which the sheeter roll6 is fixed, may be extended as shown at 40 to provide a mounting for each of the gears 41, 42 and 43 which are arranged on the slot 45 and may be shifted longitudinally therein for disposition of its extending abutment or projection 47 in any one of the gear key-ways 44. The projection 47 is yieldingly held in an extended position by means of the spring 48 which contacts the bottom wall of the groove or slot 45. is provided for manual shifting of the sliding key 46 which may be referred to as a clutch member. The member 46 rests on a fulcrum 50.

Between the gears 41, 42, and 43, are placed the circular washers 51 and 52 which break the continuity of the gear key-ways and serve to provide obstructions between the gears for depressing the wedge-shaped head or projection 47 of the clutch member. By referring to Fig. 3, it should be obvious that an inward shifting of the clutch member 46 will cause the wedge-shaped head or projection 47 to strike the circular washer 52 and to be guided thereby downwardly and into the slot 45',against the resistance of the spring 48, thereby terminating the driving connection between the shaft 39 and gear 43. After leaving the washer 52 the head or projection 47 may engage the key-way of gear 42 and thereby establish a driving connection between the gear 42 and the shaft 39. Ina similar manner, the gear 41 may be placed in driving relation with the shaft, by further shifting the member 46 to the left. circular washersare readily seen to provide a means for automatically terminating the A suitable handle 49 The i shaft 40 may be maintained in abuttingrelationship by means of the collar 53 which is fixed to said shaft.

The gears 41, 42, 43 are in constant mesh with the gears 54, 55, 56, which may be keyed or otherwise secured to the pilot roller shaft 57 as illustrated, or to the shaft 58 of the on [*1- ing roll 10. In the device illustrated herein, the curling roll shaft 58 is driven from the variable speed shaft 57 by means of the chain and sprocket connection 59. The connection 59, of course, could be replaced by suitable gearing or other power transmission means. If desired, the curling roll shaft 58 could be made to carry the gears 54, 55, 56, and the shaft 57 could be driven therefrom.

It is evident from the foregoing, that the change gear device indicated generally at 15 provides one form of means whereby the speed of the curling and pilot rollers may be varied relative the speed of operation of the sheeter rolls. When the machine is running at a comparatively high rate of speed, the curling mechanism thereby may be adjusted independently to run at a speed conducive to proper discharging of'the curled sheets or parcels in accurately timed succession. As stated before, the-improved construction set tor herein eliminates the tendenc" curled sheets or parcels to remain atop the curling roll after completion of the crrf i operation.

The change speed mechanism may be used in conjunction with, or without, the adjustable guide 60 which corresponds to the guide 15 illustrated. and fully described in the copending Kirchhoff Patent Number 1,828,049. The use of the variable speed curler mechanism with the adjustable guide device 60 in a machine of the character under consideration. renders the guide device more eflicient in its operation, but it is to be understood that the speed range of the change gear clevice may be such as to render unnecessary the use of a guide such as is illustrated at 60.

Briefly, the adjustable guide means comprises the curved plate 60 which extends part way around the curling roll 10. as indicated in Fig. 2. The plate is suitably mounted at its ends, on bearings 61 provided on the dough molder frame or on the curling roller shaft. By means of a longitudinally adjustable rod 62 having a pivotal connection with the lever 63 which is fixed relative the adjustable curved plate 60, the plate may be adjusted so as to vary the distance between its uppermost edge 63 and the axis of the pilot roller 12. Reference is made to the copending Kirchhoff patent hereinbefore referred to, for the details of construction of the adjustable curved guide plate 60, which corresponds to the member 15 in the copending application. It is sufficient, for the pur- -i poses of the instant application, that there be providedan adjustable curling roll guide 60 of the general character above described.

Adjacent the front. portion of the curlingroller or its adjustable guide 60 is disposed a transverse substantially flat inclined plate or support 64, which may be fixed to the frame of the machine as indicated at 65. The shaped loaves, as they leave the curling roll, may roll down said plate. At the lower edge 66of the plate is hinged, as at 67 a loaf straightener or righting means, which may be in the form of a substantially flat inclined plate 68 disposed at substantially the same inclination as the stationary plate 64. By means of a spring 69 or the like, the hinged or movable member 68 is yieldingly maintained in the outwardly extended position illus-' trated, the spring being just strong or resilient enough to yield and permit the plate to move downwardly to a substantially vertical position when the hinged plate is struck by a loaf released from the curling mechanism. The yieldingly movable plate thereby has the effect 'of leveling or straighteningany loaf that may leave the curler with one of. itsends in advance of the other. By means oflthe arrangement just described, it is rendered a certainty that each and every loaf leaving the curling mechanism will be received by the primary molder 7 0 in a perfectly horizontal or other given position. The molder com.- prises the flanged drum 70 having associated therewith a curved pressure board 71 as illustrated and described in the patent of Kirchhoff No. 1,740,024. The movable loaf righting member 68 (Fig. 1) is disposed adjacent the top edge 72 of the pressure board. It is to. be understood that the loaf righting member may have yielding movement other than a hinge movement, it being possible also to mount said member for oscillatory'or rotary movement to the depressed position. It is to be understood that various other modifications and changes in structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is; 5

1. In a device for developing masses" of plastic material into sheets and rolling the sheets to cylindrical shape, the combination of a power operated sheet forming means, a curling mechanism and a drive means therefor the curling mechanism being located so as to receive the sheeted material from the sheet forming means for development thereof into 'cylindricalshaped loaves, and means for varying the speed of operation of the curling mechanism relative to that of the sheet forming means.

2. In a device for developing masses of plastic material into sheets and rolling the sheets to cylindrical shape, the combination of a power operated sheet forming means, a curling mechanism and a drive means therefor'the curling mechanism being located so asto-receive the sheeted material from the sheet forming means for development thereofinto cylindrical shaped loaves, means for varying the speedof operation of the curling mechanism relative to that of the sheet forming means, and means associated with the curling mechanism for effecting release of the cylindrical shaped loaves from the curling mechanism upon completion of the loaf forming operation.

: 3;In a device 1 for developing masses of plastic material into sheets and rolling the sheets to cylindrical shape, the combination of a powervoperated sheet forming means, a curling mechanism and'a drive means thereforthe curling mechanism beinglocated so as to receive the sheeted material from the sheet forming means for development thereof into cylindrical shaped loaves, means for varying the speed of operation of the curling mechanism relative to that of the sheet forming means, and means associated with the curling mechanism for lifting the shaped loaves from contact with thecurling mechanism upon completion of the loaf forming operation; I I I 4. In a device for developing masses of plastic material into sheets and rolling the sheets to cylindrical shape, the combination of a power operated sheet forming means, a curling mechanism and a drive means therefor the curling mechanism being located so as to receive the sheeted material from the sheet forming means for development thereof into cylindrical shaped loaves, means for varying the speed of operation of the curling mechanism relative to that of the sheet forming means, means associated with the curling mechanism for effecting release of the cylindrical shaped loaves from the'curling mechanism upon completion of the loaf forming operation, and a loaf righting means associated with the curling mechanism for effecting discharge of loaves in a uniformly level condition.

5. In combination a dough molder adapted to receive and roll initially formed loaves, a sheet forming means and avcurling mechanism associated therewith forreceiving the sheeted dough and developing it into cylindrical shaped loaves, the sheet forming means and the curling mechanism being operated by a common power means, change speed means for varying the speed of the curling mechanism relative that of the sheet form ng means, and a loaf straightener adapted to direct successive initially shaped loaves into the dough molder in a uniformly level con- 1 dition.

6. In a device of the class described the combination'of a pair of spaced driven rolls adapted to receive lumps of plastic and to form them into sheets, a driven curling roll 7 and a driven pilotrollrotating in a common direction of rotation and located below the sheet forming rolls whereby to receive the sheets as they are formed and to roll them into cylindrical loaves suitable for reception in a loaf molder, a loaf righting means comprising a loaf intercepting member for precluding discharge of the cylindrical loaves from the curling roll with one end of the loaf in advance of its other end and means for mounting the loaf intercepting member so that it is contacted by the formed cylindrical loaf before said loaf isinfluenced by theloaf molder. i

7. In a device of the class describedthe combination of a'pair of spaced drivenrolls adapted to receive lumps of plastic and to form them into sheets,adriven curling roll and a driven pilot roll rotating in a common direction of rotation and located below the sheet forming rollswhereby to receive and form them into cylindrical loaves, and a speed adjusting means for varying the speeds of operation of the'sheet forming rolls and the curling roll, relatively.

8. In a device of theclass described the" combnation of a pair of spaced driven rolls adapted to receive lumps of plastic and to form them into sheets, a driven curling. roll and a driven pilotjroll rotating in a common direction of rotation and located below "the sheet forming rolls whereby to receive the sheets as they are formed and to roll them into cylindrical loaves, a speed adjusting means for varying the speeds of operation of the sheet forming rolls and the curling roll,

relatively, a normally stationary guide member disposed in close proximity with the curling roll, and movablesupporting means for moving the guide member concentrically about the curling roller.

9. The combination with means for coiling sheets of material intosubstantially cylin drical rolls, said means comprising a curling roller arranged to exert a lifting force upon the said cylindricalrolls while in the process of formation, of independently adjustable rotatably supported means movable t'ojpositions beneath the formed roll for releasing said roll fromthe lifting influence of the curling roller, thereby permitting gravitation of the formed roll from its position above the curling roller, and a righting means d sposed adjacent to theroll releasing means and comprising an intercepting member adapted to be struck by the released roll prior to subjection of said roll to another machine, whereby to preclude discharge of the roll to said other machine with one of its ends in advance of the other.

10. The combination with means for coiling sheets of material into substantially cylindrical rolls, said means comprisinga curling'roller arranged to exert a lifting force upon the said cylindrical rolls While in the process of formation, of independently advice for feeding plastic masses in sheet form,

a driven rotatable curling roller positioned to receive an end of the sheet, a driven pilot roller having its axis above and to one side of a vertical diameter of the curling roller and cooperating With the curling roller to effect coiling of the fed sheet atop the curling roller, and a change speed means for varying the speeds of operation of the feeding means and the curling roller relatively.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of May, 1931.

WILLIAM G. KIRCI-IHOFF. 

